To link to the entire object, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed the entire object, paste this HTML in websiteTo link to this page, paste this link in email, IM or documentTo embed this page, paste this HTML in website

Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Lauren Mims
Date: September 7, 2004 Phone: 919/733-5612
GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES 252 NEW JOBS FOR RICHMOND COUNTY
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today announced that Ritz-Craft Corporation, a leading builder of modular and manufactured housing, will locate its newest manufacturing facility in Richmond County, creating 252 new jobs and bringing an investment of $10 million to the area.
“Today’s announcement means 252 good jobs for 252 hardworking citizens of our state,” said Easley. “North Carolina’s investment in education and our workforce will continue to bring companies such as Ritz-Craft to our state, further bolstering our #1 business climate and high job growth rating.”
Ritz-Craft Corporation is locating its newest modular home manufacturing facility to the new Richmond County Industrial Park. Construction will begin in December 2004, and the company plans to be operational by August 2005. The new jobs will include skilled, home construction-related manufacturing positions. Workers will receive an average salary of $14 an hour.
Today’s announcement was made possible with the help of Richmond County, the N.C. Department of Commerce and the One North Carolina Fund, as well as support from the N.C. Department of Transportation, the N.C. Community College System and North Carolina’s Southeast Partnership. Ritz-Craft Corporation was awarded a $250,000 grant from the One N.C. Fund. Through the use of this fund, about 12,000 jobs and $1 billion in investment have been created since 2001.
“We are very excited about locating our new facility in North Carolina,” said Paul John, president and CEO of Ritz-Craft Corporation. “The people of Richmond County made the decision easy for us. From our first day of contact, the assistance we have received from everyone involved has been first rate.”
Ritz-Craft Corporation, headquartered in Mifflinburg, PA, has more than 800 employees, producing more than 40 homes per week. The company has three modular and manufactured home manufacturing facilities and a kitchen cabinet manufacturing facility in Mifflinburg, PA, and a modular home manufacturing plant in Jonesville, MI.
“Ritz-Craft’s decision to build in Richmond County is proof positive of what we have to offer. Our citizens are ready and able to work, and our industrial sites are world class,” said Kenneth Robinnette, chair of the Richmond County Commissioners. “We are excited for Ritz-Craft and for the citizens of our county.”
The Richmond County Industrial Park has been classified as a Certified Site by the N.C. Department of Commerce. The North Carolina Certified Site Program was unveiled in 2001, and each certified site is a full-service property of at least 10 acres that can support 50,000 square feet of building space or more on a single level. The property must also meet 31 minimum standards to be certified. Since 2001, 49 sites have met the standards of the program in 35

Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Lauren Mims
Date: September 7, 2004 Phone: 919/733-5612
GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES 252 NEW JOBS FOR RICHMOND COUNTY
RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today announced that Ritz-Craft Corporation, a leading builder of modular and manufactured housing, will locate its newest manufacturing facility in Richmond County, creating 252 new jobs and bringing an investment of $10 million to the area.
“Today’s announcement means 252 good jobs for 252 hardworking citizens of our state,” said Easley. “North Carolina’s investment in education and our workforce will continue to bring companies such as Ritz-Craft to our state, further bolstering our #1 business climate and high job growth rating.”
Ritz-Craft Corporation is locating its newest modular home manufacturing facility to the new Richmond County Industrial Park. Construction will begin in December 2004, and the company plans to be operational by August 2005. The new jobs will include skilled, home construction-related manufacturing positions. Workers will receive an average salary of $14 an hour.
Today’s announcement was made possible with the help of Richmond County, the N.C. Department of Commerce and the One North Carolina Fund, as well as support from the N.C. Department of Transportation, the N.C. Community College System and North Carolina’s Southeast Partnership. Ritz-Craft Corporation was awarded a $250,000 grant from the One N.C. Fund. Through the use of this fund, about 12,000 jobs and $1 billion in investment have been created since 2001.
“We are very excited about locating our new facility in North Carolina,” said Paul John, president and CEO of Ritz-Craft Corporation. “The people of Richmond County made the decision easy for us. From our first day of contact, the assistance we have received from everyone involved has been first rate.”
Ritz-Craft Corporation, headquartered in Mifflinburg, PA, has more than 800 employees, producing more than 40 homes per week. The company has three modular and manufactured home manufacturing facilities and a kitchen cabinet manufacturing facility in Mifflinburg, PA, and a modular home manufacturing plant in Jonesville, MI.
“Ritz-Craft’s decision to build in Richmond County is proof positive of what we have to offer. Our citizens are ready and able to work, and our industrial sites are world class,” said Kenneth Robinnette, chair of the Richmond County Commissioners. “We are excited for Ritz-Craft and for the citizens of our county.”
The Richmond County Industrial Park has been classified as a Certified Site by the N.C. Department of Commerce. The North Carolina Certified Site Program was unveiled in 2001, and each certified site is a full-service property of at least 10 acres that can support 50,000 square feet of building space or more on a single level. The property must also meet 31 minimum standards to be certified. Since 2001, 49 sites have met the standards of the program in 35